NPS Fire & Aviation Blog - Andy Coats

Duty, Respect, Integrity

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 14:02:00 -0600

"The most essential element of successful wildland firefighting is competent and confident leadership." That is the opening sentence to the firefighters pocket bible, or regularly known as the Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG). The whole purpose of leadership is to provide direction and motivation for firefighters. Regardless of the strategies used on fires, a crew of firefighters is able to accomplish anything as long as the members have the confidence and clear instructions to do so. In order for firefighters to get the confidence and leadership they need, three values need to be paid close attention to. Duty, respect, and integrity are the key components behind leadership and when all are successfully fulfilled, any crew can do anything they can put their mind too.

The first value is easy to explain. Simply put, duty is doing your job. But when we think deeper than just a quick definition, certain guidelines can be brought to our attention in order to better lead a crew in doing their duty. Part of doing the job right is being proficient in what you're doing either technically or as a leader. It is also important that as a leader you make sure that the tasks you give to your subordinates are clearly defined and properly done. This also allows you to make room for developing your subordinates in ways that they can grow as a firefighter and a leader. This summer I had the chance to watch many different people be leaders in one way or another. Each one of them fully succeeded in this value. Every leader would clearly define what we were doing and how we were going to do it. Also, they put people in positions that would give them the opportunity to become better at something. And not once did I feel like I was uninformed about what the crew or I was supposed to be doing.

When I usually think of respect I picture someone saying "respect others" as if there is a general equality between people no matter their circumstances. But when it's your first season as a firefighter and almost everyone else has had more experience than you, it's hard to imagine why they should respect you. They are the ones who have put more time into firefighting, they have learned more from personal experience than you, and they are better at doing their job than you are. However, the firefighter leadership value of respect is focused more on subordinates than I would have thought. In order to be a good leader, you must respect your subordinates production level and assist in building the team by making everyone, whether they have been fighting fires for several years or a few months, respect each other's well-being. It is key to keep all your subordinates informed and use them where they will be most useful within the crew. I found this type of respect with every crew I was involved with this summer. No matter what type of work we were doing, everyone seemed to keep in mind and respect that I was new to this type of work. I had an opportunity this summer to be in every type of position, whether it would be something that there would be no way I could ever make a mistake, to being responsible for completing tasks above and beyond what I thought I was going to be asked to do this summer, I was given the respect and confidence by my leadership to accomplish any type of work requested.

The most important leadership value, and what I feel like I gained the most from this summer, is integrity. Usually for me, integrity can be defined as doing the right thing when no one is looking. However, with respect to fire firefighting, integrity focuses more on owning up to actions and seeking improvement for yourself. Whether a seasoned veteran or a brand new rookie, every good firefighter knows what they are good at and what they need to get better at. It helps to realize these strengths and weaknesses when you ask for others opinions about yourself. The best way to improve from other's opinions is to look for opportunities to get better at something. In my case, at the beginning of the summer when I was new to saws, I tried to take every chance I could to use one in order to get more experience with it and get feedback on what I was doing correctly or not.

This summer I had the chance to witness what these values really meant while working on the job. Even though it was my first season, I saw how these leadership values can play a part in every situation from every person. Duty, respect, and integrity are what every fire fighter should live by, and what I plan on fulfilling in the years to come.

Chainsaws? Yes, please.

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 14:02:00 -0600

The chainsaw, there's nothing quite like it. If anything, it's similar to controlling a wild beast on a leash; given the proper training and respect of course. I have come to learn that a chainsaw is my favorite tool of all time. It has the power of tiger and can be trained like a well behaved dog. Plus, it makes my job a lot easier and entertaining. Whether I use it to cut down trees or limb and buck them, a saw allows us to get through thick stands quickly in order to get the fire on the ground or to put in a handline. The different tactics and strategies used for chainsaws while on the fire line was only part of the S-212 class. The class involved with the training covered all the bases regarding the tool and its use in the fire world. From parts of the chainsaw, to maintenance, to the tactics, the class covered every important aspect of the tool. Even though I consider myself a hands-on learner, I found the class to be absolutely necessary. It got me mentally prepared to control a saw and use it outside.

The course lasted four full days, two inside and two outside session. The outside sessions were broken into two parts, limbing and bucking on day one, and felling on day two. Getting to go over all the aspects of using a saw with an experience sawyer was invaluable. Without the help of the instructors, four of which were from Module 32, I would have most likely put myself or others in danger.

The most important idea I took away from the S-212 training was how truly dangerous and powerful chainsaws can be. The training emphasized the dangers in using saw and paid specific attention to two fatalities that occurred with their use. With this special attention it brought up a very important point, no matter how new or experienced you are with chainsaws, the situation can turn deadly fast. Paying attention to your surrounding and using extensive situational awareness is key to safely operation and successfully completing assignments using this special tool.

The days following the S-212 class, we assisted the forestry crew in the Sprauge Lake Project. In this project, we were ordered to take hazardous trees (already fallen by the skilled hands of the forestry crew) and buck and limb them to be placed in burning piles to be ignited at a later date. The process of doing this so close to the end of the chainsaw class was a great way to become comfortable with using the saws and seeing how they can be used to do difficult work quickly. The aesthetic difference between beginning and finishing our section of the project was night and day. When we got there, logs laid like a pile of a fallen jenga tower, with trees and branches covering and intermingling with those of other fallen trees. Simply put, the public would have disliked the look of the area before we got there. However, after we (Module 32 and the forestry crew) were finished, the branches laid piled under teepee style placements of rounds making the area looked well groomed and controlled.

Working From Home - 2011 RMNP Fuel Projects

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 14:02:00 -0600

As stated previously, our module is very flexible and can be used for projects around the park. The Headquarters Project is an example of such usage. This assignment ordered us to create a buffer zone around the headquarters and Beaver Meadows Visitor Center area. In this project we were assigned the duty of limbing low lying branches around structures to reduce the possibility of fire spreading through the area and causing damage to said property. It should be stated clearly that during this project no trees were felled. The project was a success in that we removed hundreds of cubic yards of fuel around the area and decreased the fire behavior potential. The specs for this project involved clearing brush under the drip line of trees within 300 feet of any structure; limbing braches that hang under 6 feet within 300 feet of a structure; and removing down fuel larger than 3 inches and larger than 1 inch within 300 feet and 100 feet of any structure, respectively.

This project was a great boost for our module. Not only were we working very close to our cache, but the work we did affected us directly. Plus, I got to use a chainsaw quite a bit. The project took us all of about a month finish and left the area looking great. All the specifications for the project were followed and there were no complaints or disagreements with any residents around our work site. The finished product did exactly what it needed to do, it decreased the fuel load and created a good size buffer zone around the historical and frequently visited headquarters and Beaver Meadows Visitor Center Area. All in all, the project went smoothly, everyone got experience on a saw, we made a good impression on the park visitors and other employees of the park, and I got to work outside all day every day. Honestly, I couldn't ask for much more from a project.

The other project we were assigned to this summer was the Glacier Basin Project. We were ordered to take 50 acres and remove all the hazardous trees in the area. The "hazardous" trees were defined as dead or dying trees, most of which were killed by mountain pine beetles. This project was a great opportunity for me to get more experience with a chainsaw. Considering that the pine beetle epidemic has spread through Rocky Mountain National Park, there majority of the 50 acres being treated are dead or dying trees. This gives me plenty of practice felling, bucking, and limbing trees. After trees are felled, bucked, and limbed, we make piles that will be burned in the winter time.

One of the hazards of this project, except that of working with chainsaws and falling trees, is the public being apparent in the area. In order to mitigate any problem that might happen with hikers or horseback riders being around, we posted lookouts on the trail that alert the sawyers when people are in the area.

Summer Summary

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 14:02:00 -0600

When I first got interested in this type of work, I didn't think to myself about how many different opportunities I could have in my first summer. Most of these opportunities involved work with my module on projects around the park. Even though these were great ways for me to learn and appreciate the different parts of fire protection and prevention, my best training days were the nine day detail with the Alpine Hotshots to the Duckett Fire near Westcliffe, Colorado, and the two week trip with the module to Chiricahau National Monument and Fort Bowie National Historic Site in southern Arizona. Out of the total of 25 days of work, I got to experience fire from the creation of a protection plan, through suppression of active wildfire, and rehab after the fire has passed. As the different experiences came so did the change in crew sizes, and as the crew sizes changed there were both personal and communal changes in production and responsibilities. The sizes of crews ranged from 4 to 44 personnel.

The first experience outside of Rocky Mountain National Park was with the 22 person hotshot crew that was assigned to the Duckett Fire. The Alpine hotshots were to be sent near Westcliffe, Colorado to be a part of the initial attack of fire, which at that time was less than 1,000 acres. It is not unusual for the hotshot crews to take a few extra NPS employees with them as long as they have they're Red Card (a mandatory card to for all personnel working on a fire should have). As it may happen, another person from Module 32 and I were chosen to go with them. As this was my first fire, I had no idea what exactly to expect. We were told on the way down that our main objective was focused on fire suppression. To my best guess that meant a lot of line digging and not much else. What I got to experience was much more than just line digging. Our main strategy for suppressing the fire was using bulldozers to make ground clearance sometimes up to 16 feet wide. While the dozer was putting our line in for us, the crew would be split into four or five groups with one person on a chainsaw and the others pulling the slash outside of the dozer line. This process continued started the first day and continued for the next four days. Eventually, we got around and contained the south east corner before it moved into a housing development. The type of work we did was only possible because of the high number of very experience fire fighters. The amount of work a 22 person crew can do is tremendously higher than the other two groups I got to work with. Personally, working with the crew demanded a lot more physical exertion than I have ever been a part of. However, while I was working hard I didn't have to think about very much. I focused mainly on listening to what I was told to do, and doing it as best as I could. However, I did take as many opportunities as possible to learn from the veterans of the crew.

After we returned from Westcliffe, I was told that Module 32 got a resource order to go the Horseshoe 2 fire in southern Arizona near the town of Willcox. The module was ordered down to the fire in order to do two things. The main focus was the do hazard tree removal on the Chiricahau National Monument which the fire had burnt through. All the trails and many watersheds had been burnt through causing erosion and hazardous tree concerns for the watersheds and trail in the area. Our job was to go through and remove any large debris in the creek beds, and take down the burnt trees that pose a hazard to recreationist on the trails. We worked together as an eight person module to remove many of the trees in the watershed. This was a great way to see how a group of that size works together. It was easy to see the differences in the amount of production the hotshot crew and the module could get done. This is simply because of the number of people within each group. However, I also noticed that the number of people in the group also changed how hard I worked. With the hotshots, I worked as hard as possible knowing that the crew doesn't depend on me, and if I was to work too hard and get injured or sick, the crew wouldn't lose very much production with only having 21 people instead of 22. When I compare that to a group that only has eight people, if I was to get sick or injured, that would force the rest of the crew to work harder, and in turn change the amount of work they could get done. Now don't get me wrong, that doesn't mean that in the module I didn't work hard, but I did pay a lot more attention to not getting injured. Another difference I noticed between the two groups was how much my input mattered. Now with either crew size my input didn't mean much against the veterans' experience, but I did feel like with the module I could at least offer it more comfortably.

The other reason we were brought down to Arizona was to help in an effort to protect a prized jewel of American History. Fort Bowie National Historic Site, located northwest of Chiricahau National Monument, is the remain of two old American forts that were established at Apache Pass. These forts were the center of military operations against the Chiricahua Apaches and the place of Geronimo's surrender. Many years ago the site used to be managed with frequent prescribed burns along the hillsides to stay with the natural fire ecosystem. Unfortunately, over the past few decades, little had been done regarding fire management. Our job at Fort Bowie was to create and complete a fuels treatment for the 1,000 acres of land at the site.

In order to accomplish both duties, the module split into two squads. Bravo Squad stayed at Chiricahau National Monument, and the squad I'm on, Charlie Squad, went to Fort Bowie National Historic Site. Being able to have the Fort Bowie Project was my favorite experience of the summer. The type of work we had to do was much different than the other two experiences. We did a lot of work in regards to creating a project from scratch, and a lot of work at trying to get it done. Our main focus was to create the project plan while we were there. At least that way if we couldn't finish it, someone else had a place to start. Creating the plan took almost the entire time we were at the site, however, since we were the ones creating the project, we had a chance to get some of it done too. Unfortunately, the amount of work four people can get done is a lot less than either the entire module or the hotshot crew. However, the amount of input that I was able to contribute, and the amount that was actually paid attention to, was way more than either of the other groups.This project allowed me to use what I have been studying the past four years and apply it to a real job. What I found most memorable from this summer was how proud I felt to be able to create a project that actually meant something and wasn't just for a grade. Being able to focus entirely on protecting an area and actually doing something good for it brought me very close to Fort Bowie and the history surrounding it.

The icing on the cake came in the last two days of the trip. After word had gotten out about our project, the Incident Management Team of the Horseshoe 2 fire assigned three crews totaling over 40 people to come finish the project we had created. The 40 people were split into different parts of the fort to accomplish different parts of the project. Another crew member and myself, both rookies, were assigned to continue work that we had previously been doing, so we had limited interaction with the other crews that came in. In the end, everything got finished and we were able to see our project out to the end.

All in all, over the past summer I have gotten to experience many different types of mental and physical work. Working with the hotshots pushed my physical limits while requiring minimal thinking. Working with the four person squad conversely pushed my mental limits while asking less of the physical stress. Working with the module as a whole was a good indicator of the middle ground, working hard but reserved as to not over stress myself and allowing me to think I have an input in our work. Seeing the different aspects of fire fighting from beginning of prevention to rehab after supression over the course of 25 days opened my eyes who diverse fire fighting can be.

Attack Dogs and Safety Fairs

Sun, 31 Jul 2011 23:38:48 -0600

On May 21^st, Clint and I participated in the Estes Park Safety Fair with our supervisor Jeff Singer. The Estes Park Safety Fair is an annual event in which local law enforcement and EMS personnel provide games, prizes and free food in order to educate children on being safe. These folks cover everything from railroad crossings, safe bicycle riding and home fire preparedness. As a wildland firefighting agency Rocky Mountain National Park uses the fair an interactive way to teach the youth what we do as a Fuels / Fire Module.

The three of us brought the fully equipped Type 6 engine and a game for the participants. The goal of this game was to knock over four cut out flames with the water stream from a bladder bag. Once the game drew their attention towards the truck the hand tools, and chainsaws they were excited to learn about fire. We were able to explain why and how we used the tools to build fireline and suppress fires. Parents had the opportunity to ask us about the other projects we did while fires were absent in the park. We use this opportunity to inform the parents about the fuel reduction projects and the hazardous tree removal projects we will be working on this summer.

Local law enforcement agencies such as the Larimer County Sheriff, Fort Collins Police, and Estes Park Police participated in the fair. The highlight for me was the police attack dog exhibition. The Larimer County Sheriff department explained to the audience the importance of K-9 units and the intense training each dog and officer has to go through. (I wondered how much training I will be going through this summer learning to be a wildland firefighter.) The officers had one of their police dogs work a drill. The police dog would take down the perpetrator (an officer in a bite-resistant suit) and then release upon the command of the handler. As the three year old female dog attacked and hung-on to the offender after repeatedly being told to release the dog hung on for the next 8 minutes! The other officers had to yank and pull the young dog free of its target. It was obvious after this first attempt that the dog had more training to go through as it hesitated to release its death grip. However, the message was clear to all spectators, don't mess with law dogs.

There were other great exhibits that put an emphasis on safety. One exhibition, in particular, displayed the hazardous fuel accumulations in and adjacent to Estes Park. This display demonstrated the importance on fuel reduction and creating defensible space around private homes. This caught my attention from the many discussions I have had regarding property owner's responsibilities to reduce the fire risk around their homes. This spotlights a large debate that persists in the forestry department at CSU. Is it the property owner's responsibility to take care of their own area to protect themselves, or is it the responsibility of the professionals to use taxpayer's money to protect homes located in the wildland-urban interface. In my opinion, professionals should be used on a community size basis. If there is a large community nearby, then I can see the use of federal crews preparing for a catastrophic wildfire. However, every homeowner has a responsibility to federal crews to prepare their home from a wildfire threat.

The other agencies representatives that participated in the safety fair had great exhibits; however, our firefighter game drew the largest crowd, second to the attack dog of course.

First Impressions of Module 32

Sun, 31 Jul 2011 23:38:48 -0600

Within the first few weeks of working with the module I have noticed that the seasoned veterans come from diverse fire backgrounds. Their different experiences have gone a long way in helping teach the younger firefighters about duty, respect, and integrity. The veterans of the crew demonstrate what it means to dedicate yourself to being the best. Whether it's fitness standards or uniform cleanliness, the crew can easily be seen as a solid, strong, professional group of firefighters that take their duties seriously. This crew mentality is very contagious and makes me strive to be the best I can. They keep their integrity no matter what they are doing or who is around. It shows that they are serious about doing what is right even when no one is watching. Out of all the jobs I've had, this crew has more respect for themselves and others than anything I've been a part of before. They keep themselves in top-notch physical shape and take on the responsibility of looking professional while working. Also, they know how to respect those who work above them and respectfully teach those who are still learning below them. The attitude of the crew has a big effect on our productivity. This comes directly from the veterans and shows why we do such a great job on fires and projects. We gain our respect by giving respect and working hard. It has shown in our work thus far, and will show into the future as the Module continues to grow.

National Park Service Housing...Pretty Nice

Sun, 31 Jul 2011 23:38:48 -0600

Working for the National Park Service as a seasonal student employee has its benefits, for example, the living situation. Working for the National Park Service doesn't get much better when the house they provide leads to a five minute commute to work. Along with the short downhill drive, it is typical to see elk and deer in the meadows that surround the road. The house itself is also a plus. Compared to my living quarters in Fort Collins, the house at High Drive is quite spacious and has plenty of room to accommodate all those who live in it. With three bed rooms, a large living room, and a decent sized kitchen for amateur cooks (usually ready-to-cook meals), it is a perfect fit. The scenery around the house is a beautiful view of the Estes Valley and is located on the bottom slope of Deer Mountain. From the backyard we can bushwhack about 100 yards to a 9 mile trail that takes us to the peak and around Deer Mountain. Most notably, the house is complete with an outdoor wood grill that now has a new natural made bench made of large flat rocks and a slight recline. To top off the whole live situation, the charge for rent is taken directly out of my paycheck so there is no worry about getting the check in on time. This is especially nice when there is a possibility that I can be gone on an assignment for two weeks and miss the due date.

Two of my crew members and two crew members of the re-vegetation crew also live in the house. Our firefighting schedules don't match those of the re-vegetation crew so we don't see them that often, but when they are around we enjoy the extra company. Having the two other guys from my crew in the house is definitely a benefit. Not only do we hold each other responsible for getting to work on time, but the bar-b-que's on the back deck make for some good bonding time!

Overall, the housing situation with the National Park Service couldn't be better. The nice house with beautiful views, a short drive, and easy-going roommates makes life simple after work. Plus, the hike behind our house is a great way to get away from it all if I need some time to myself.

Who is Andrew Coats?

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 11:00:00 -0600

My name is Andrew Coats and I am currently finishing up my bachelor degree in Forestry at Colorado State University. My concentration is in Forest Fire Science and that has helped lead me to where I am today. I personally feel working with Module 32 at Rocky Mountain National Park is an amazing fit for me. The seriousness of the job in combination with the great staff allows for me to learn quickly and understand the different aspects of what we do. I have had many jobs in my past that have seemed mundane and repetitive and after the first few weeks of working here, I am certain that this experience will be like nothing I have done before.

Previous to my current collegiate experience, I had no idea of my interest in wildland fire and how it shapes our society. While studying over the past few years under CSU professors like Pete Berry and Bill Romme, I have learned just how much the social and scientific aspects of fire catch my attention. About a year ago I went through my introductory fire classes (S-130, S-190, I-100, and L-180) and realized the potential this career path had in my life. After taking these classes I decided that a hard working job placed out in the environment with serious implications and meaningful training was a great way to start a career right out of school.

During the winter, when most of the hiring was going on all over the country, I was desperately trying to get into some kind of fire position. However, it seemed that no matter how hard I tried, and with whom I tried to contact, a fire job was out of the question for me this summer. Admitting defeat, I found a local part-time job that I could finish school with and have for the rest of the summer. Then, in the middle of April, Pete Berry contacted me about an intern position available with Module 32. After being shot down by everyone else, I figured my ego couldn't fall anymore and decided to send in a resume. After contacting Jeff Singer, the module lead, I was skeptical that I had impressed him enough to get the job. About two weeks later, Jeff called me back saying that he wanted to try to push things through as fast as possible so I could get on his team and start training with the Module.

This opportunity to work with such a great crew in such a great place is a reality that I previously thought impossible. During the summer, I am going to act like a sponge soaking up as much information and experience as possible. Hopefully, this internship will allow me to network with progressive people in the fire field and solidify a position with Module 32 for the next few years. What I want to happen after working for Rocky Mountain National Park for a few years is still a question not answered. The paths seem infinite and the possibilities endless, all I know is that I will grow more as a firefighter and a person in the years to come.